Cross & Crescent a Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity publication
INSIDE: Indiana’s New Head Football Coach Bill Lynch, Veteran Coach Takes Reins
2007 Order of Achievement Recipient Dale Carlsen, Owner of Sleep Train
The Strange Case of our Chapter at Harvard September 2007 . XCIV . Issue 9
Cross & Crescent a Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity publication Features Chapter News 3 Chapter and Alumni News Fraternity News 8 Mentor Program Update History 10 The Strange Case of our Chapter at Harvard
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Indiana’s New Head Football Coach Previously an assistant coach, Bill Lynch was named Indiana University’s head football coach on June 15, 2007. He assumed the top job after Terry Hoeppner, the previous head coach, bravely fought and eventually lost a long battle with cancer. By Tad Lichtenauer
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2007 Order of Achievement Recipient A 2007 Order of Achievement recipient and owner of Sleep Train, Dale Carlsen has made hiring Lambda Chis a cornerstone of building his successful business. Today, his company has grown to more than 200 stores under the brand names Sleep Train, Mattress Discounters, and Sleep Country USA. Chris Barrick (Butler 2004)
Credits
Contributions
Publisher: Bill Farkas Editor: Jason Pearce Assistant Editor: Chris Barrick Assistant Editor: Tad Lichtenauer Illustrator: Jeff Reisdorfer Podcast Voice: Fuzz Martin Photographer: Walt Moser Assignment Editor: Jon Williamson Historian: Mike Raymond Contributing Editors: Jono Hren Aaron Jones George Spasyk
Content for consideration should be submitted by the fiftenth of the month. Lambda Chi Alpha 8741 Founders Rd Indianapolis, IN 46268-1338 (317) 872-8000 editor@lambdachi.org www.lambdachi.org www.crossandcrescent.com
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Cross & Crescent SEPTEMBER 2007
CHAPTER NEWS
Chapter News Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death Atlanta Area Alumni Association
Cal State–Sacramento (Phi-Pi)
Approximately 30 alumni from more than 12 chapters attended the Atlanta Area Alumni Association event on August 9, 2007, at Frankie’s in Atlanta, Georgia. Attendees included Georgia State Representative Joe Wilkinson (Georgia 1969), Associate Director of Alumni Relations Josh Lodolo (Cal StateNorthridge 2004), and former Fraternity staff members Cam Wagner (Richmond 1994), Phil Minnes (Western Ontario 1996), Todd Sapp (Florida Southern 1995), and Matt Getz (Mercer 1991).
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter be placed on financial probation. To avoid financial suspension, the chapter must remain current on all billing for the school year, pay off a percentage of the old debt by December 31, 2007, and pay off all old debt by June 30, 2008.
California–Davis (Delta-Gamma)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter be placed on financial probation. To avoid financial suspension, the chapter must remain current on all billing for the school year, pay off a percentage of the old debt by December 31, 2007, and pay off all old debt by June 30, 2008.
Bucknell (Delta)
Former chapter Vice President Tom Quinn (1991) announced his candidacy for Pennsylvania state representative.
Clemson (Delta-Omicron)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter remain on probation.
Coe (Zeta-Alpha)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committees ruled that the chapter be placed on financial probation. To avoid financial suspension, the chapter must remain current on all billing for the school year, pay off a percentage of the old debt by December 31, 2007, and pay off all old debt by June 30, 2008.
Butler (Alpha-Alpha)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter be placed on probation. Former chapter President Jim Malecha (1986) is the director of chemistry for Kalypsys, Inc. , a biotech company based in San Diego, California. Previously, he worked for Searle/Pharmacia in Skokie, Illinois.
Connecticut (Zeta-Lambda)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter be placed on financial probation. To avoid financial suspension, the chapter must remain current on all billing for the school year, pay off a percentage of the old debt by December 31, 2007, and pay off all old debt by June 30, 2008.
Cal State-Fresno (Iota-Gamma)
Former Fraternity staff member Lawrence Young (1982), was named 2007 Entrepreneur in Residence at California State University-Fresno. He is currently president and CEO of Active ES, Inc., a Southern California-based corporation that designs and markets energy management technology worldwide.
Cornell (Omicron)
Kevin Lemanowicz (1991) is the chief meteorologist for FOX 25 News in Boston, Massachusetts. Nominated 10 times for an Emmy as New England’s best meteorologist, he is the recipient of the prestigious American Meteorological Society Television Seal of Approval.
Cal State-Fullerton (Phi-Epsilon)
Ross D. Vincenti (1982) was selected as a finalist for Washington Business Journal’s 2007 Top Washington Lawyers program. He currently serves as senior counsel at Sprint Nextel
www.crossandcrescent.com
Cross & Crescent
SEPTEMBER 2007
CHAPTER NEWS
Dayton (Sigma-Eta)
Kansas State (Gamma-Xi)
DePauw (Xi)
Kentucky (Epsilon-Phi)
Forty-four alumni and spouses attended the annual Jersey Shore Memorial Beach Party on July 20, 2007, at Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey.
The chapter earned a 3.0 GPA for the spring 2007 semester, better than the all-university, all-men’s, and all-fraternity averages.
Russell H. Hart (1950), retired senior counsel from the Lafayette, Indiana, law firm of Stuart & Branigin LLP, was selected by the Fellows of the Indiana Bar Foundation as the recipient of the 2007 Legendary Lawyer Award. A practicing attorney for 51 years, he was selected based upon his legal expertise and community service efforts.
Dr. Bill Stackman was appointed director of student activities at Texas A&M University. He previously served as dean of students at Rhodes College and interim dean of students at Oberlin College.
Eastern Kentucky (Phi-Beta)
Kettering (Lambda-Epsilon)
Michael Goins (1990) was named the director of public relations for Forcht Group of Kentucky, a Lexington, Kentucky-based management company. Previously, he served as executive director of communications for the Kentucky Education Cabinet.
Chapter members participated in a volleyball tournament that raised $1,400 for the United Way.
Kutztown (Sigma-Gamma)
Vince Chiles (1985) has launched a website in conjunction with his new book, “Happiness in Five Minutes a Day,” scheduled to be published in January 2008.
Eastern Michigan (Sigma-Kappa)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter be placed on financial probation. To avoid financial suspension, the chapter must remain current on all billing for the school year, pay off a percentage of the old debt by December 31, 2007, and pay off all old debt by June 30, 2008.
Loyola-Marymount (Delta-Psi)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter be placed on financial probation. To avoid financial suspension, the chapter must remain current on all billing for the school year, pay off a percentage of the old debt by December 31, 2007, and pay off all old debt by June 30, 2008.
Jacksonville (Delta-Upsilon)
Ethan A. Way (1995) has expanded his law practice and moved into new offices in Tallahassee, Florida. With a continued focus on criminal defense throughout Florida, he also represents clients in disputes and legal matters involving international hunting.
www.crossandcrescent.com
Maryland-Baltimore County (Phi-Delta)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter be placed on financial probation. To avoid financial suspension, the chapter must remain current on all billing for the school year, pay off a percentage of the old debt by December 31, 2007, and pay off all old debt by June 30, 2008.
Cross & Crescent
SEPTEMBER 2007
CHAPTER NEWS
Miami-OH (Zeta-Upsilon)
New York City Metro Area Alumni Association
Donald Naragon (1951) died May 29, 2007. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, and later earned the rank of major in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. An active member with the chapter’s alumni association, Naragon was employed by the James Rivers Co. for 30 years.
Approximately 25 alumni attended the New York City Metro Alumni Association pub night held on August 30, 2007, at Failte Pub, an Irish bar located in Manhattan. Hosted by Denis Keane (Villanova 1986), the event included special guests Associate Director of Alumni Relations Josh Lodolo (Cal StateNorthridge 2004) and Grand High Epsilon Mark “Fletcher” McElreath (Mercer 1987).
Missouri-Columbia (Gamma-Kappa)
The chapter completed $100,000 in renovations, including a remodeled kitchen, new carpet and new furniture.
North Carolina-Greensboro (Phi-Theta)
Montevallo (Sigma-Epsilon)
Former Fraternity staff member Frank Council (1995) was hired as the assistant director in the Office of Programs for Undergraduate Leadership and Service Education at Butler University.
Brandt L. Montgomery (2007) began the discernment process to become an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church. During the initial 10month internship, he will be exposed to ordained ministerial life and will work with parish priests in the areas of parish administration, outreach ministry, pastoral care, and liturgy & worship.
North Texas (Iota-Zeta)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter be placed on financial probation. To avoid financial suspension, the chapter must remain current on all billing for the school year, pay off a percentage of the old debt by December 31, 2007, and pay off all old debt by June 30, 2008.
Nashville Area Alumni Association
Approximately 13 alumni attended the Nashville Area Alumni Association event held on August 23, 2007, at PF Chang’s in Nashville, Tennessee.
Oklahoma (Gamma-Rho)
Nebraska-Lincoln (Gamma-Beta)
Chapter Vice President Ben Bigbie (2009) received the Outstanding Sophomore Award, which was presented by University of Oklahoma President David Boren.
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter remain on probation.
Nevada-Reno (Epsilon-Iota)
Oklahoma City (Theta-Delta)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter be placed on financial probation. To avoid financial suspension, the chapter must remain current on all billing for the school year, pay off a percentage of the old debt by December 31, 2007, and pay off all old debt by June 30, 2008.
Charles Strain (1965) died July 17, 2007.
New Hampshire (Alpha-Xi)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter be returned to good standing.
www.crossandcrescent.com
Cross & Crescent
SEPTEMBER 2007
CHAPTER NEWS
Oregon (Zeta-Omicron)
Rose-Hulman (Theta-Kappa)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter be placed on financial probation. To avoid financial suspension, the chapter must remain current on all billing for the school year, pay off a percentage of the old debt by December 31, 2007, and pay off all old debt by June 30, 2008.
About 100 alumni members gathered to help with new chapter renovations, including a new game room, renovated bathroom, remodeled bedroom, new carpeting, and a lighted backyard patio with a barbecue pit.
Oregon State (Alpha-Lambda)
San Diego State (Zeta-Pi)
Charles W. Harrison Jr. (1950) died July 31, 2007. He was a mechanical engineer primarily with American Sheet Metal in Portland, Oregon, for 25 years.
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter remain on probation.
Penn State (Zeta)
Tennessee–Chattanooga (Zeta-Phi)
Rensselaer Polytechnic (Epsilon-Eta)
Tennessee-Knoxville (Epsilon-Omicron)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter remain on probation.
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter be returned to good standing.
James E. Morley Jr. (1962) is a director at the Washington Advisory Group, a leader in university policy consulting. He is the past president and CEO of the National Association of College and University Business Officers, a Washington, D.C.based organization dedicated to higher education administrative and financial issues.
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter remain on probation.
Texas A&M International (Colony)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the colony be closed for not meeting basic operating standards.
Ray Lutzky (2002) was named associate director, enrollment outreach at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In this new position, he will direct the university’s undergraduate and graduate recruitment efforts for admissions.
Texas A&M-Kingsville (Beta-Epsilon)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter be placed on financial probation. To avoid financial suspension, the chapter must remain current on all billing for the school year, pay off a percentage of the old debt by December 31, 2007, and pay off all old debt by June 30, 2008.
Rhode Island (Eta)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter be placed on financial probation. To avoid financial suspension, the chapter must remain current on all billing for the school year, pay off a percentage of the old debt by December 31, 2007, and pay off all old debt by June 30, 2008.
www.crossandcrescent.com
Texas Christian (Iota-Pi)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter be placed on financial probation. To avoid financial suspension, the chapter must remain current on all billing for the school year, pay off a percentage of the old debt by December 31, 2007, and pay off all old debt by June 30, 2008.
Cross & Crescent
SEPTEMBER 2007
CHAPTER NEWS
Texas-El Paso (Zeta-Epsilon)
Virginia Tech (Sigma-Lambda)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter be placed on financial probation. To avoid financial suspension, the chapter must remain current on all billing for the school year, pay off a percentage of the old debt by December 31, 2007, and pay off all old debt by June 30, 2008.
Chapter Vice President Craig Kerscher (2009) was named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2007 semester.
West Chester (Lambda-Kappa Colony)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the colony be closed for not meeting basic operating standards.
Texas-San Antonio (Phi-Upsilon)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter remain on probation.
Western Carolina (Beta-Zeta)
Michael J. Frey (1980) died December 30, 2006.
Texas State–San Marcos (Lambda-Phi)
Western Ontario (Delta-Eta)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter be returned to good standing. To avoid financial suspension, the chapter must remain current on all billing for the school year, pay off a percentage of the old debt by December 31, 2007, and pay off all old debt by June 30, 2008.
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter be placed on financial probation. To avoid financial suspension, the chapter must remain current on all billing for the school year, pay off a percentage of the old debt by December 31, 2007, and pay off all old debt by June 30, 2008.
Former chapter President Kelly Frels (1966), a senior partner of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, was elected to chair the board of the Texas Environmental Research Consortium. The consortium board, composed of scientists, business leaders, and elected office holders, is responsible for overseeing independent scientific research on clean air issues in Texas.
Villanova (Beta-Iota)
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee ruled that the chapter be placed on financial probation. To avoid financial suspension, the chapter must remain current on all billing for the school year, pay off a percentage of the old debt by December 31, 2007, and pay off all old debt by June 30, 2008.
www.crossandcrescent.com
Cross & Crescent
SEPTEMBER 2007
FRATERNITY NEWS
Mentor Program Update Increased participation needed for the Joseph T. Charles Mentor Leadership Program. “Making Men Better Men” s at the heart of the principles of Lambda Chi Alpha.
By Josh Lodolo (Cal State-Northridge 2004)
The next highlight of the mentor program came in 2005, when Lambda Chi Alpha partnered with JobBound, a nationally recognized expert in career recruitment, to produce the Job Guide. This comprehensive resource helps members launch their careers as they plan to graduate from college.
The Joseph T. Charles Mentor Leadership Program strives to be a vehicle that enables our members to attain the necessary insight into career development and engage in the exchange of ideas with brothers who look to impart accrued wisdom in the area of “real life.”
The Job Guide contains information on how to prepare a resume and cover letter, develop a network of contacts, and fine-tune interview techniques. Other topics include time management, business etiquette, and workplace initiatives that will help our members succeed in their chosen professions.
Just as many did as big brothers, alumni must continue to act as role models and teachers, passing on the true spirit of Lambda Chi Alpha through brotherhood. Program’s Beginnings The Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation, through a generous gift from Joe Charles (Culver-Stockton 1964), founded the mentor program in the fall of 2001. This program was designed to create and provide a link for undergraduate members to their future through advice and coaching from alumni of distinction in their chosen professional career paths.
Registered participants can download the Job Guide on the mentor program website.
This program is a network of alumni and friends who are willing to provide Lambda Chi Alpha members with information regarding various career paths, geographical insights, and knowledge gained in previous work experiences.
Future Emphasis on Marketing The future of the Joseph T. Charles Mentor Leadership Program is planned by an advisory board of volunteer alumni, who evaluate the progress and reach of the initiative annually.
The vision for the mentor program is to provide each Lambda Chi Alpha undergraduate with an opportunity to find a career mentor who will provide career guidance, advice, and information to help the mentee succeed in his career after college.
In 2007, the advisory board has placed an emphasis on branding and marketing. “We want to grow the number of mentors and undergraduates that are taking advantage of this great program and using it effectively,” says Ray Lutzky (Rensselaer Polytechnic 2002), an advisory board member. “The best way to do that is to improve our outreach — take it directly to the chapters.”
In the six years this program has existed there have been several important changes. The first was when the program transformed from a direct mentor/mentee connection program to an online networking program.
Plans call for new resource guides that will help mentors and undergraduates navigate the program, as well as new promotional materials targeted directly at undergraduate members.
The staff and volunteers found that an undergraduate desires the opportunity to choose his own mentor (or mentors) instead of simply being provided the contact information for one alumnus.
“Participants need information on networking, interviewing, and other general career advice that we can provide up front,” Lutzky says.
With the new online network, mentees can search through the alumni profiles and identify individuals with whom they are interested in communicating.
www.crossandcrescent.com
Ultimately, the advisory board is working towards a shift in the program initiative from strictly one-to-one mentoring into a global career network for alumni.
Cross & Crescent
SEPTEMBER 2007
FRATERNITY NEWS “Alumni can join the network without the expectation of direct mentoring over a long period of time,” Lutzky says. “There are many other ways alumni can help us without the time commitment of individual mentoring.”
Status of Chapters Where some chapters excel, others struggle to meet Lambda Chi Alpha’s most basic operating standards.
Ways alumni can help include resume review/editing, connecting undergraduates with professional organizations, giving class schedule advice, or even providing insight into a geographic area.
At the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, the Status of Chapters Committee met to review 26 chapters and colonies. The committee made the following rulings: Colonies Terminated: • Texas A&M International (Colony) • West Chester (Lambda-Kappa Colony)
The expectation is that as undergraduates have positive mentorship experiences and move out into their careers, they will become the next generation of mentors.
Chapters Disciplined: • Butler (Alpha-Alpha) • California–Davis (Delta-Gamma) • Cal State–Sacramento (Phi-Pi) • Clemson (Delta-Omicron) • Coe (Zeta-Alpha) • Connecticut (Zeta-Lambda) • Eastern Michigan (Sigma-Kappa) • Loyola-Marymount (Delta-Psi) • Nebraska-Lincoln (Gamma-Beta) • Nevada-Reno (Epsilon-Iota) • North Texas (Iota-Zeta) • Oregon (Zeta-Omicron) • Penn State (Zeta) • San Diego State (Zeta-Pi) • Tennessee-Knoxville (Epsilon-Omicron) • Texas Christian (Iota-Pi) • Texas A&M-Kingsville (Beta-Epsilon) • Texas-El Paso (Zeta-Epsilon) • Texas-San Antonio (Phi-Upsilon) • Villanova (Beta-Iota) • Western Ontario (Delta-Eta)
As undergraduates find value in the program, they are encouraged to become young mentors upon graduation. That way, they can use their positive mentorship experience to help another brother in need of sound career advice. As the number of brothers engaged in the mentor program increases, it will continue to grow and evolve into a more robust network. “We have great faith that the program is strong and continuing to attract talented alumni mentors,” Lutzky says. “It’s a testament to the connection many alumni feel exist between their own professional success and the skills learned while serving as a chapter leader.” Successful Connections In July 2007, an undergraduate used the mentor program to identify an alumnus because he was interested in learning more about job opportunities in higher education.
Chapters Returned to Good Standing: • Tennessee–Chattanooga (Zeta-Phi) • Texas State–San Marcos (Lambda-Phi) • New Hampshire (Alpha-Xi)
He used the mentor program because he found himself at the end of his undergraduate experience with no real direction. When asked how the mentor program helped him understand more about career options he replied, “My mentor took me through his career path and also outlined several alternate routes, including graduate school.”
For more information about the rulings on these chapters, please refer to the Status of Chapter Report Summary.
Register Today Now that you’ve learned about the past and the future of the Joseph T. Charles Mentor Leadership Program, it’s time to sign up. There are two simple steps to finding a match.
He added, “The best piece of information I gained from my mentor is that there is not always a cookie cutter way to get into schools and professional endeavors. You must always look at several options and not put all of your eggs in one basket.”
First, take three minutes to register. You will be prompted to enter contact information, field of work, and the areas you are interested in helping (or getting help if you are registering as a mentee). Step two is to navigate through the profiles by using the simple search machine. You can sort the profiles based on geography and job category.
When asked what advice he has for other undergraduates in the mentor program, he says, “Take the time to email and call anyone of interest because you never know the piece of your life puzzle a mentor can help you find.”
Although the outreach responsibility rests on the mentees, there is nothing holding a mentor back from reaching out to mentees he can help.
www.crossandcrescent.com
Cross & Crescent
SEPTEMBER 2007
HISTORY
The Strange Case of our Chapter at Harvard Founded by alumni, the chapter’s short 16-year run was plagued by trouble, but also produced a notable member. As in other fraternities, most chapters of Lambda Chi Alpha had their beginnings in a local organization, an interest group, or a “picked delegation.” The chapter at Harvard University, however, is unique in that it was started by a group of Lambda Chi alumni from other schools at a time when the Fraternity was still in its infancy.
At once, McIntosh called a meeting. “While Boston, Massachusetts Tech, and loyal Harvard transfer brothers met, the disloyal members, after opposing the other meeting, met across the hall as the Falcon Club, their new organization. “In an effort to keep the chapter alive, loyal graduate students were given the charter of Alpha-Epsilon, and officers were elected.”
Harvard is the oldest college in the United States. The Massachusetts Bay Colony authorized the Schoole at Newtowne in 1636. It opened its doors as Harvard in 1638, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just across the Charles River from the future birthplace of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Operations, therefore, took on strange characteristics, falling somewhere between undergraduate and alumni. In a further odd twist, “Secretary McIntosh reached an agreement with the resigned members. They were to turn in their badges for credit at two-thirds of their market value on the debt to the national Fraternity, repay this debt at $75 a month, maintain the lease on the chapter house at 42 Quincy Street, and assume all local debts of Alpha-Epsilon in the name of the Falcon Club.” Brother Sharp’s story continues, as conditions deteriorated further:
On May 11, 1916, a charter was issued to the “Alumni of Lambda Chi Alpha,” and the Harvard chapter was installed. It operated with only alumni for more than three years, and throughout World War I. It wasn’t until December 16, 1919, that the first four undergraduates were initiated. Since the founders were already members, one of the undergraduates — George Bason Morgan (Harvard 1920) — was entered in the rolls as AlphaEpsilon 1, hence, a founder in a different sense of the word.
“The Grand High Zeta, on Grand High Pi Lloyd D. Claycomb’s suggestion, adopted an edict on February 22, 1924, expelling all academic members and suspending the charter of AlphaEpsilon.” The 1930 directory indicates that 25 members were indeed expelled.
Thirteen more undergraduates were taken in the following May, and the chapter began to operate in a more traditional manner, but as the chapter roll topped 70 initiates, trouble loomed on the horizon.
Meanwhile, the loyal graduate students — who supposedly had the charter — tried the next summer to revive the chapter. Led by a Boston alumnus, four brothers rented an apartment and furnished it with $250 borrowed from the national Fraternity. But, according to Sharp, “no undergraduates were pledged, and the graduate chapter dwindled out.”
Headquarters Ultimatum An account written by Roland H. Sharp (Harvard 1930), printed in the 1909–29 history of Lambda Chi Alpha, explains, “there was a decline in interest among some of the members, owing to discouragement over the fraternity situation at Harvard. On February 12, 1924, at midnight, the chapter was declared dissolved by the resignation of practically all undergraduate members.”
Building Momentum With undying spirit, efforts nevertheless continued a year later, again led by transfer students.
In a letter to Headquarters, they cited, “the disfavor in which the fraternity ideal was held in general at Harvard,” and the growing difficulty in recruiting new members.
At the Grand High Zeta meeting in November 1925, it was agreed that finances would permit the awarding of two, $250 scholarships without disturbing the principal of the $500 offered by an anonymous donor for that purpose.
Administrative Secretary Bruce McIntosh (DePauw 1916) met with the members and issued an ultimatum: either remain loyal to Lambda Chi Alpha, or resign from the Fraternity and sever all relations. More than 20 members resigned, and surrendered the charter and rituals. www.crossandcrescent.com
By Jono Hren (Florida Tech 1975)
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Cross & Crescent
SEPTEMBER 2007
HISTORY “In the fall of 1925, Donald S. Lowe, an initiate of Theta at Dartmouth (1928), who was entering Harvard as a junior, and Edward T. Miller, Jr., an initiate of Kappa (1927) at Knox, who had been at Harvard during the past year, were awarded the service scholarships for the year and requested to act as an executive committee in a last effort to revive an undergraduate chapter at Harvard.” Notable Harvard Alum
Six undergraduates were initiated in 1926, and by the end of the school year in the spring of 1927, the chapter boasted 18 active members. A large house, capable of sleeping 12 men was rented at 8 Irving Terrace.
Included in a group of three pledges, initiated in the spring of 1927, was an athletic member who, with the aid of a scholarship, worked his way through Harvard doing odd jobs. Quoting the June 1927 issue of the Purple, Green, and Gold, “Harry A. Blackmun is out [rowing] with the crews daily.” By the end of 1928, Harry A. Blackmun (Harvard 1932) was the chapter president. Blackmun finished his studies at Harvard in 1932. In 1950, he served as resident counsel for the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1959.
The chapter helped create the first Harvard interfraternity council, and excelled at sports, social events, and debates. Things were finally looking up, and plans to buy the house were under consideration.
Blackmun was nominated for the U.S. Supreme Court by Richard Nixon in 1970, serving as associate justice until 1994.
Brother Sharp’s brief history concluded optimistically. “The year 1928–29 set a high mark of twenty-five undergraduate members. The debt contracted in 1924 for the purchase of furniture was settled. A house fund was started through the gift of $25 from Dick Dunham. A new house at 53 Trowbridge Street was leased for 1929-30, and is proving a substantial improvement.”
He died March 4, 1999, at the age of 90, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. A more detailed account of Brother Blackmun’s life and career is being planned for a future issue of the Cross & Crescent.
The Harvard chapter became inactive April 27, 1932, and its charter was officially revoked one last time on August 18, 1933, at the Chicago General Assembly. In 16 years, the chapter initiated approximately 130 members — 25 of whom were expelled and who relinquished their badges.
Unfortunate Negative Influences This enthusiasm, however, was short-lived due to the onset of the Great Depression and — perhaps more importantly — a new policy adopted by the Harvard administration. In 1929, no fewer than 14 national fraternities were active on campus, “all of which were closed down in the 1930s when the University began to require that student groups be autonomous,” the Harvard Crimson related in the March 16, 1992 issue. “Since the University insists that student groups make all policy decisions without direction from any parent organization, the fraternities are forced underground.”
Apparently, according to the Harvard University Gazette, the Falcon Club coexisted with the chapter, or perhaps was part of it, and also became inactive in 1932. Uncertain Future In 1985, fraternities at Harvard began a resurgence that continues today, even with the administration’s reluctance to officially recognize them in something of a “don’t ask, don’t tell” atmosphere.
Baird’s Manual lists only two fraternities at Harvard by 1940, presumably ones which had reverted to local status, and by 1950, just one. www.crossandcrescent.com
Whether or not they will flourish and ultimately succeed remains to be seen.
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Cross & Crescent
SEPTEMBER 2007
FEATURE
Indiana’s New Head Football Coach Previously an assistant coach, Bill Lynch was named Indiana University’s head football coach on June 15, 2007.
By Tad Lichtenauer (Butler 1987)
On June 15, 2007, Bill Lynch (Butler 1977) was named Indiana University’s 27th head football coach.
He also played varsity basketball at Butler and was the captain and assist leader during the 1975–76 season.
Previously an assistant coach, he assumed the top job after Terry Hoeppner, the previous head coach, bravely fought and eventually lost a long battle with cancer.
Fraternity Days and Teamwork When Lynch was growing up, he had two uncles who had attended Butler and played varsity sports so he was very familiar with the university. After he made the commitment to attend Butler, the Lambda Chi Alpha chapter members didn’t waste any time recruiting him.
“We’ve been through a tough time here,” Lynch says. “But we are excited about the upcoming season,” which began September 1, 2007.
“I was recruited to the Lambda Chi house coming out of my senior year of high school,” he says. “They invited some guys over and I got sold right away.”
During the last few years, Indiana’s football program has been in a rebuilding mode and Lynch says the hard work is beginning to show, which he hopes to translate into wins this season.
Once he joined Lambda Chi, Lynch says he had many great experiences and made many lifelong friends. “Many of [the brothers] are ones I stay in touch with to this day,” he says. “I had a great experience there, from day one.”
“I think there is a buzz and enthusiasm that we need to carry through the fall,” he says.
Unlike today’s demands on college athletes, Lynch says he had time for both athletics and Fraternity.
Successful Coach and Player With 30 years of coaching, Lynch has 14 seasons of head coaching experience, compiling an 81–67–3 record during stints at Butler University, Ball State University, and DePauw University.
“It was 30 years ago so the time commitment for athletics probably wasn’t what it is today,” he says. “What we ask a kid today to do is incredible. We worked hard at it but it wasn’t year-round like it is today.”
He has won or shared seven conference or division titles during his previous years as a head coach.
As an undergraduate member, Lynch also enjoyed serving as recruitment chairman, going out and recruiting new members.
Before joining Indiana, Lynch directed DePauw to an 8-2 record, and was named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Co-Coach of the Year in 2004.
“My experience at the Lambda Chi house, and with the guys I went to school with, was as big a part of my education as anything else,” he says.
A star quarterback at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, he passed for 4,257 yards and 48 touchdowns, and guided his team to an undefeated season in 1971.
Whether it’s athletics or our Fraternity, Lynch says he knows the concept of “team” is critical to any organization’s overall success.
After deciding to attend Butler, Lynch soon made a big impact on the football team there, too. As the quarterback, he was named an All-American for three of his seasons, setting 15 conference and school passing records, and leading the nation in passing completion percentage in 1975.
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FEATURE “Team is more important than individual,” he says. “And I think there is a lot of that in the Fraternity. The good of the group supersedes what one person wants. And I learned that at the Lambda Chi house.” He says that the value of respect and trust are critical lessons that the Fraternity can help teach undergraduates. “When you mention coaching, I just think so many of the values of a fraternity and fraternity life is very similar to what you do in a team sport,” he says.
Butler Athletic Hall of Fame
As a result of his success as both an athlete and a coach, Bill Lynch (Butler 1977) was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 2005, and the Butler Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000.
Other Notable Athletes Ironically, during his Lambda Chi Days, Lynch was fortunate to be a part of a very interesting group of members with roots in Butler varsity athletics.
The Butler hall of fame recognizes and honors those individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the achievements in the field of athletics, and who have continued to demonstrate in their lives the values imparted by athletics.
One of the most notable was Barry Collier (Butler 1976), who played on the varsity basketball team, and later became a successful head basketball coach at Butler and the University of Nebraska.
Since its inception in 1992, 16 Lambda Chi Alpha alumni have received this honor, including: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Today, Collier is Butler’s athletic director, and he has very profound memories of the important role Lynch has played in his life. “My initial impression of Butler and Lambda Chi was incredibly favorable because of Bill Lynch,” Collier says. After making his decision to transfer from a junior college and attend Butler, Collier says he received a letter from Lynch welcoming him and inviting him to visit the Lambda Chi house.
Frank B. “Pop” Hedden (Butler 1929) Frank White (Butler 1929) Oral Hildebrand (Butler 1930) James Edwin “Speed” Allen (Butler 1933) Charles “Chuck” Henzie (Butler 1934) Ray Sears (Butler 1935) Inmon Cecil Blackaby (Butler 1938) Robert Wildman (Butler 1944) Keith Greve (Butler 1958) Ted Guzak (Butler 1958) Dick Dullaghan (Butler 1966) Thom N. Burleson (Butler 1974) Barry Collier (Butler 1976) John Dunn (Butler 1977) Bill Lynch (Butler 1977) Chuck Schwanekamp (Butler 1978)
“This simple act of kindness and inclusion made for a smooth transition to Butler, into our Fraternity, and began a 30 plusyear friendship,” Collier says. “I have come to know Bill Lynch as one of the very best people on God’s green earth.”
Today, Dunn lives in Denver, Colorado, and is the president and owner of Cummins Rocky Mountain, Inc., as well as the chair of the Butler Board of Trustees.
Interestingly, in 1989, Collier’s first year as Butler’s head basketball coach was Lynch’s last year as Butler’s head football coach.
Following graduation, he began a very successful Indiana high school football coaching career, and is one of just three coaches to lead two different teams to the Indiana state high school football finals. This past summer, Schwanekamp was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame.
Schwanekamp played varsity football and helped lead Butler to three conference championships, earning First Team All-Heartland Collegiate Conference honors as a senior.
“I was lucky, both of us were lucky, to have opportunities to be head coaches at Butler,” Lynch says. “We had great mentoring in athletics, which I think motivated us to get into that profession to start with.”
Just X’s and O’s Lynch is frequently asked about the pressure and expectations of having his first opportunity to coach a Division I team in the Big Ten Conference, and being thrust into the national media spotlight.
Two other notable Butler chapter alumni and varsity athletes were John Dunn (Butler 1977) and Chuck Schwanekamp (Butler 1978). A varsity basketball player, Dunn was named two-time, all-conference performer and Butler’s Most Valuable Player. He led the team in assists in 1974–75, and in free throw shooting in 1976–77.
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“It’s the same as when I was coaching Butler,” he says. “I’ve got 110 guys coming in and I’ve got to coach them....It’s just coaching football.” 13
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2007 Order of Achievement Recipient A 2007 Order of Achievement recipient and owner of Sleep Train, Dale Carlsen has made hiring Lambda Chis a cornerstone of building his successful business. Dale Carlsen graduated from high school a semester early and enrolled in California State University-Sacramento. He planned only to attend for a semester and then transfer to the University of California-Berkeley.
“It’s not that I didn’t want to pay my dues, but the mattress company offered me a sports car as a company car,” Carlsen jokes. “And I was young and single.” He asked the real estate company for a little more money but instead of money, received a piece of advice. “The real estate guy told me to take the mattress job because I had the educational experience and all I needed was the sales experience. After a couple years they would hire me on and I could go straight to being a broker.”
“I was walking through the quad on campus and a guy reached out and invited me to a function,” Carlsen (Cal StateSacramento 1984) remembers. “I went there, met them, thought they were interesting, and ultimately joined.”
Sleep Train Carlsen traveled throughout California doing sales. He soon tired of giving stores ideas and being told “great idea” and then it never being done. So he decided to open his own store. Carlsen talked to his dad, a former certified public accountant, about the idea, and his dad was against it. He told Carlsen that small businesses fail and suggested sticking with sales and going into real estate.
Carlsen enjoyed his experience with Lambda Chi Alpha so much he decided not to transfer. He thought his father would be disappointed in his decision but when approached, was supportive.
Soon thereafter Carlsen’s step mom won a trip to Europe on the radio. During the two weeks she and his dad were out of the country, Carlsen bought a truck, leased some space, and opened his first store.
“Staying at Sacramento ended up being the best thing that could have ever happened because I would have never done what I have done,” Carlsen says. “ I was an introvert and the Fraternity brought me out of my shell.”
“You could say I was a little afraid of my father,” Carlsen says. Looking back now, he realizes how integral the Fraternity was in how he ran his business.
Mattresses and Real Estate While in school, Carlsen worked part-time for a mattress manufacturing company. He started by emptying trash cans but worked his way up to being a salesman. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, he would go on the road to sell, and would take classes on Thursdays and Fridays.
“I was High Alpha, High Kappa, so I learned how to educate, discipline, and how to manage, and that was important as to how I ran the business,” Carlsen explains. “As important, when you are starting a business you need someone to help you out. Where else do you turn but your Fraternity brothers? I hired my Fraternity brothers along the way. We have had fun and enjoyed it. We grew the company.”
His ultimate goal, though, was to work as a commercial real estate broker. He was majoring in finance and real estate with hopes of achieving that goal.
A Fraternal Environment Carlsen often thinks about the fraternal lessons in his day-to-day business. He believes in civic duty and treating people right.
Following graduation, he was offered an entry-level real estate job but was also offered a job as a sales manager with the mattress company. The real estate company offered him $12,000 a year with no benefits or vacation. The mattress company offered $30,000 with full benefits.
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By Chris Barrick (Butler 2004)
He remembers back to his days as an undergraduate when the chapter did a variety of charitable work, including hosting an annual
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and an incredible amount of respect for the business, customer, and co-workers.”
One year the Easter Seals was hosting a Christmas Party and needed some help. A group of about 10 went down and really had what Carlsen considers a life changing experience.
When Carlsen says he’s surrounded by Fraternity brothers, he means it. He hired Fraternity brothers that started with the company, and over the years he has probably hired several hundred Lambda Chis. He jokes that they also had to open it up to other fraternities as well.
“They were so happy to have us there and spend some time with them. We took them in their wheel chairs and danced with them on the floor. It was special.”
“When you walk around and see people who have been with him for 10–20 years — that have been part of building the business — you know there is a common bond and that’s Lambda Chi,” says Vice President of Marketing Michael Wilson (Cal State-Sacramento 1982). “And people who aren’t members joke about it all the time.”
Carlsen says this type of service stewardship plus his upbringing really taught him the importance of giving back to society. He continues this today. Sleep Train donates mattresses to at-risk youth in the community. This year over 2,000 beds will be donated, which is over $2 million worth of mattresses, to give kids the good night’s sleep they need.
Carlsen says continued growth is the future of the company and that’s how they continue to attract good people. “The opportunities are here. People rapidly get promoted because of our growth. New markets mean new leadership roles and new opportunities for people to grow.”
Carlsen believes one of Sleep Train’s main distinctions is that the staff is highly trained. His focus is to make everyone better, so he has spent a lot of time and money training his people.
The company will do $350–400 million in business this year and Carlsen hopes to rapidly get to the half billion mark.
“My dad gave me a great piece of advice when I started the business. If I wanted to be successful, I should surround myself with good people, treat them right, and make sure they are successful.”
Friends Looking back at his Fraternity days, Carlsen says he had fun every day. They had a lot of good functions, one of which he met his wife through. So it is no surprise that he is still very close with many of his contemporaries.
Carlsen says just like in the Fraternity, everything is a team effort. “Making each person better and stronger makes a better group. With a better group we are able to grow the business together.”
He says a group continues to hang out together, doing something as a group at least once a month. They dine together, travel together, and go on scuba trips together. As a testament to this bond, a group of five brothers joined Carlsen in Memphis, Tennessee, for the 2007 Stead Leadership Seminar, where he was presented with the Order Of Achievement.
And grow it has. Sleep Train has now expanded to 212 stores under three brands: Sleep Train, Mattress Discounters, and Sleep Country USA. They purchased Mattress Discounters in the western states in 2003, and Sleep Country in the Northwest last year. All stores are located on the West Coast — California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada.
In his speech to the assembled brothers, Carlsen proclaimed: “To me the Fraternity changed my life and made me who I am today. It is responsible in a large part for the success of our company because the values of the brotherhood transferred to the business, and onto what we do today.”
“I attribute the growth to the people. We have been fortunate to be surrounded by great people, many of them Fraternity brothers. That’s what always make the difference and is the core for any company,” Carlsen says. “They have a high integrity level
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